You are never to "old" to pursue something that you are passionate about. Yeah ... you might have an extra challenge or two ... but most of that will be in your own mind. Do your homework ... find out what they look for in students .... and remember that "maturity" is actually a positive attribute. Then, go for it!!

Hello everyone! Currently I'm an in 8th semester of architecture, however, I started to lean more towards writing a while ago. In fear of disappointing my parents who'd already invested so much in my studies, I just kept going with architecture, since I do pretty well and don't necessarily dislike it. I've been writing for a fashion magazine in my country (Mexico) for the past couple of months, and have received really good feedback. Anytime I've done well on an architectural project, I've been satisfied and frankly, glad it's over. But getting a "good job" from my editor excites me and is infinitely more fulfulling. I don't want to drop out now that I have only 2 semesters left to graduate, but should I study journalism once I finish? How necessary is having a diploma directly related to fashion to work in the industry as a writer? Should I try to get an internship this summer? With graduation looming I'm getting more and more anxious about my future paychecks (or lack thereof). Thanks!

I agree that you should complete your degree. It's important even if you never become an architect because it's still showing the you can complete a rigorous course of studies, which is always a positive thing when viewed by prospective employers. I think you have the best resource ever to answer your question about whether or not to study some journalism ... your boss. You should ask her (him?) what education they look for when they hire writers and/or what course does she think would be helpful to you. Ask if journalism classes would strengthen you resume when you are out there looking for work where you can write. It's always a good idea to let you boss know you long term goals, anyway. If they like you and your work, they will be able to help by advising you and down the road maybe introducing you to people who could be prospective employers or even promoting you within the publication you already write for.

Journalism is more about gathering facts to present in periodicals and news stories .... and less about actually writing ... so you need to make sure that journalism is what you need to study. We have a thread about this topic in this Careers forum ... just use the Search function ...keyword: journalism.

I need a little help selecting between these two internships at a magazine. I do both fashion styling and writing freelance so I am looking more to pick the most strategic one in terms of forming relationships and figuring out how to maneuver in the magazine. I'd like to get into a Fashion Editor role down then line with this magazine.

Any responses appreciated. I need to let the staff know by Friday. Thanks!

A "Fashion Editor" is not usually a writer, they are usually just a stylist.

So, I think "Fashion Closet" would be the place where you can make the best contacts. You will most likely come in contact with the fashion editor(s), their assistants, designer's reps, and possibly photographers, too. The sort of people who a Fashion Editor needs to know in order to put a photo shoot together.

Being a"Fact checker" is pretty solitary work, I think. It's checking up on what the writers have written, to make sure they have their facts right ... so it's neither styling nor writing. It's research .... or journalism, at a very basic level.

How and where can I learn to sew clothes like they do in Haute couture? I have never been interested in fashion before but in drawing, but those clothes are just beautiful and works of art.

I didn't really find any information about this on the internet, other than some people from Ecole de la chambre syndicale started working at Dior etc. A school that is focused more on design (?) and is in french.

It takes years and years to learn how to do this. It's very, very specialized. Most go this route: first a fashion design degree at a highly accredited fashion school that has courses in haute couture, graduate at the top of your class, then probably an internship/apprenticship at a Haute Couture house. (I think that there are only about 6 Haute Couture houses left). Then a job ... and years and years of learning the techniques and getting moved up on the job. Yes ... you probably would have to become fluent in French, first. And you would have to compete against thousands of other fashion school grads for the privilege of getting that internship in the first place.

Most of these creations are done be a team of experts ... pattern makers, lace makers, craftspeople who do the beading, pleating, trims, etc., everyone has a specialty. So, if you have great skills in one area, there's a tiny chance to become an apprentice to one of these craftspeople ... and you can have an in that way. But you will probably stay within your one craft for life.

So, if you are serious about this ... start with finding a great fashion school, and work on your sewing and drawing skills in the meantime. Even getting into fashion school is very, very competitive .... they take only the most talented and skilled.

We have lots of thread here, about various fashion schools ... a few in Paris, where you would probably want to be ... but also Parsons and FIT are considered good fashion schools, too ... if you must stay US based.

DAAW! :'( I live in Sweden and since eduaction is free here I have no money saved for super awesome fashion schools. I've heard the one with best reputation here is Borås. Is there some way to learn the craft by yourself? Or by books, videos? Or are the techniques so secret only apprentices are shown?

I need some advice!
I graduated from college a year ago with a degree in fashion business. I've applied to many places since then and have only had one interview which was for a position that I was ultimately not qualified for.

Right now I'm working part time in retail for a good fashion brand. Here's the thing, I LOVE my job. I love the people, the clothes, and I love the responsibilty that they trust me with. However this job doesn't pay well and it's difficult to get promoted.

So now I have two choices based on my lack of feedback from the jobs I want. I could either
1. Get a second part time job in an office for administrative experience which is something that most jobs that I have been applying to have wanted. I get to keep my retail job a bit longer and hopefully gain the skills that I need from my second job to get more interviews.

2. Or, I could lower my expectations in my full time job search and pretty much apply to jobs that I don't really like. I'm picky about the companies that I want to work for and even though I've been applying to entry level positions at great companies with no response I really don't want to settle for a company that I know nothing about.

I'm just confused on what to do. I don't mind working two jobs because I've done that before and I don't want to leave my retail job. But I don't know if i should just put off my goals in working for my dream companies for a few years and settle for other companies.

You didn't say what "dream companies" ... but if it's the kind of companies the everyone aspires to join, then you have to find a way to outshine the competition, both on the CV/resume and in person, if you get an interview. That, I think is why you are proposing these two options.

Here are a few thoughts that I have on some of the things you said ... maybe my comments might lead you to see it in a clearer light for reaching your goals:

- Is the job you have helping you in any way to reach your goal? Is the experience helpful in any way, will it look good on a resume, are you learning about the "business" of retail?

- You do say you love your job, but it doesn't pay enough. High end retail can pay quite well ... if you are a great sales person at the right shop in the right neighborhood and if you have created a following. But you have to build up to getting clientele ... it takes time and persistence. Do you want a career as a sales person ( a well paid one), or is that out of the question?

- You said that they wanted more "administrative experience" ... so I'd work hard to get that, any way you can.

- If you need to get that experience, I would certainly keep applying to all the top companies that are your preference, but most likely you will have to start on a lower rung, even for entry level jobs. So, I would suggest that you apply for every job ... full or part time, at any viable company and see what happens. You really don't have to make a decision about your retail job, until you get a job offer or two. And you don't have to accept a job if you don't like the company.

- If you get an interview at any company, you should be doing research about them anyway, to impress the interviewer about your knowledge and passion to work for them. That research will help you decide, should they eventually make an offer.

- Rarely does anyone stay at one company for a long time, so future employers will expect to see job changes in your career, as long as the moves better your position each time. It's OK to start at a less than stellar company, then leave to accept a better job at a better company later. It's all valuable experience, good or bad.

Thanks so much BetteT! I'll clarify on some things..
The dream companies I want to work for would be Conde Nast, Hearst and Twitter. I'm from Chicago and both Conde & Hearst have entry-level sales assistant positions. Twitter also have some great options for recent grads as well.
I'm a sales person and I would say it definitely helped me become a better communicator and speaker. I'm also in charge of all of the visuals at my store which is something I never thought I would like but I ended up loving it soo much so I am also considering visual coordinator jobs.
But I do not want to "move up" in retail. If it wasn't for the employees, visual responsibilities and my confidence in talking to clients I would have left a while ago.
So I do have the sales experience for the sales assistant job I want but the only administrative experience I have is from a 3 month internship with Chanel working in their offices.
Whenever I come across job positions that I'm qualified for it usually ends up being at new, startup companies which makes me really hesitant to apply. I'm looking into part-time administrative jobs at nearby colleges for now. I do like your advice about applying to both part-time and full-time and see what happens with that.

The skills needed are: the ability to write, being able to work in a fast paced environment, organizing skills (for setting up parties, shows and events), and the ability to communicate well with all types of people. It seems to me that you might have some or all of these skills .....